Microbiologist

Pay Rate: $35.52/Hour

Overview:

This role supports the implementation and execution of key food safety design analytical methods within the US and Canada Zones by managing media preparation, quality control activities, and executing project work to develop microbiological and analytical methods needed to support food safety design and commercialization. The position provides onsite laboratory support and project execution support to Corporate Quality & Food Safety, as well as R&D.

Duties:

• Support project completion through media preparation, quality control activities, and through execution of microbial testing on project by project basis
• Supports administrative tasks such as managing inventory, ordering supplies, and data entry.
• Supports the execution of validation studies, to evaluate and approve microbiological test methods (rapid and cultural) for the Food and Beverage Heinz Laboratory network.
• Supports proficiency testing program and internal laboratory audit process for internal factories laboratories.
• This role provides scientific and technical food safety support to US and Canadian business partners to ensure product safety and quality by participating in evaluation of analytical methods. Identify and communicate method related impacts on factory verification programs.
• Support validation of designed HACCP preventive controls (Cooking, formulation, etc.) and assess validity of data obtained by others.
• Remain current in scientific and regulatory principles of food safety to ensure most relevant information and emerging issues are identified and incorporated into Food and Beverage Heinz food safety programs.
• Supports cross-functional communication of results with internally and externally generated data.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Microbiology, or related field required. Advanced degree preferred.
• Experience working in lab space previously (in a work environment)
• 1-2 years of prior Microbiology Lab experience (in a work environment)
• Prior experience with autoclaves and media preparation in particular (in a work environment), and basic microbial plating technique (aseptic technique)
• 0-2 years of experience of relevant food safety or analytical science work
• Knowledge and experience implementing GLPs (Good Laboratory Practices)
• Experience with LIMS (Laboratory Management Systems) and data management
• Experience with microbiology laboratory techniques and rapid test methods analytical chemistry procedures.
• Awareness of quality systems/processes (ISO, Six Sigma etc.), especially ISO 17025 requirements.
• Action oriented with good project management skills.
• Travel requirements up to 20% a year.